Nurturing leadership success

Redcliffe State High School’s senior Captains are determined to foster a sense of unity, inclusivity and family among the student body.

And as twins, Chloe and Bailey Alley are well placed to promote the latter.

Chloe says she and her brother being chosen to lead the school after a rigorous selection process had made her family proud.

“They were very excited - Mum cried and so did our Nan – they were very excited and happy for us,” she says.

Bailey says he and Chloe want to be seen as approachable.

“I just want to be someone that all kids can relate to, from Year 7 to Year 12, someone you can chat to.”

Leaving a legacy

Chloe hopes to create a strong sense of community within Redcliffe State High School.

“We want to bring everyone together,” she says.

“We want to have one big school family, not just our year group – we want the younger grades to see that we’re all friendly.

“Mum just had her 40-year school reunion and I thought ‘how cool would that be?’

“I want to leave a legacy of bringing people together, I want to make an impact that everyone will remember me for.”

Amazing opportunity

While Chloe is aiming to study business after Year 12, Bailey’s dream is to become a primary school teacher.

“I had a really good experience in primary school – I’ve also had a really good experience here,” he says.

“I love school and I don’t want to leave it. Thanks so much to our school – we would not have been given this opportunity if it wasn’t for them.”

Redcliffe State High School Principal Kerri Holzwart says the leadership program is hugely important.

“We’re trying to increase our students’ voice and agency because at the end of the day it’s their school.

“We make a concerted effort to listen to our student body and respond to that need – it’s kids facilitating for kids.”

Boosting confidence

She says one example is the school’s Night of Culture, held last year to promote tolerance, break down barriers and foster a sense of unity.

Ms Holzwart says the concept for A Night of Culture came from the student body.

“When students approached me and asked if they could join another school for their cultural event, I responded with a challenge.

“Why go to another school with a small group when they could organise one in their own school that everyone can take part in?”

The event, with 500 tickets, sold out in days and was a huge success.

Ms Holzwart says with so much negativity about young people in the media, it’s important to boost their confidence.

“We need to show them ‘we trust you, you can do this – tell us what you need to succeed’.

“That’s why student leadership is so important.”